DAY 1 – Fly to Saigon

Fly to Saigon, Vietnam’s largest and most evocative city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

DAY 2 – Discover Saigon

Contemplate the horrors of guerrilla warfare at the astonishing Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Saigon. Seamlessly blending past and present, Saigon is both a treasure trove of cultural sights and the city that is driving Vietnam towards a bright future. Visit the Central Post Office before heading to the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum.

DAY 3 – Mekong Delta

Journey to Ben Tre to take a cruise on the Mekong. Paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and get a glimpse of daily life on the Mekong Delta. Lunch on typical Mekong fare. Return to Saigon.

DAY 4 – Journey to Hoi An

Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. Take a walking tour of charming Hoi An – a wonderfully laidback and wilfully traditional place, whose lantern-lined streets are a delight to wander. Visit an old merchant’s house, Quan Cong Temple, the elaborate Japanese Bridge and the bustling market.

DAY 5 – Hoi An Cooking Class

Purchase fresh ingredients at the market for a cookery class at a local restaurant, consuming your creations for lunch. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure to further explore, perhaps visiting its famous 24-hour tailors and sandal makers, or many art and lantern shops.

DAY 6 – Hoi An Free Day

Enjoy a day at leisure. Perhaps savour a relaxing coffee, pop into the town for a stroll or even head to the beach.

DAY 7 – Imperial Hue

Leave Hoi An for Hue, taking a scenic route over the Hai Van Pass. Visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Royal Tomb of Minh Mang, a complex of 40 monuments set in surroundings of gardens and pools. Continue to the old Thien Mu Pagoda before taking a cruise on the Perfume River.

DAY 8 – Explore Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi this morning. On arrival, explore Hanoi. Begin at the Confucian Temple of Literature before an exhilarating cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter and French Quarter. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your day’s touring with the opportunity to try a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee.

DAY 9 – Drive to Sapa

Travel to Sapa by coach through the Northern Highlands, arriving in the mid to late afternoon. Vast panoramas of stepped rice terraces ribbon their way across these hills; a testament to the extraordinary skills of the local farmers.

DAYS 10 – 11 – Sapa

Spend the next two days discovering this verdant and beautiful area of rolling hills and rice terraces with some light walking through the surrounding valleys and villages, and visits to ethnic minority communities including those of the H’mong people.

DAY 12 – Mount Fansipan

Take a cable car ride up Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina, arriving at the summit to enjoy incredible views from a breathtaking 3,143 metres. This afternoon, return to Hanoi before continuing to Halong Bay next morning.

DAY 13 – Cruise Halong Bay

Drive east to Halong Bay, where you’ll spend the afternoon and night cruising amongst magnificent karst peaks on the tranquil green waters of Halong Bay, and even explore one of the bay’s many caves.

DAY 14 – Return to Hanoi

Rise early to admire sunrise over the bay as you cruise back toward the port. Spend the morning cruising back to the pier for your return transfer to Hanoi. Enjoy a farewell dinner and attend a spectacular Vietnamese stage performance.

DAY 15 – 16 – Fly Hanoi to Australia

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.